Sunderland have made the Capital One Cup final (Picture: Action Images)

Sunderland piled on the misery for Manchester United with a semi-final win on penalties which denied David Moyes and his men a trip to Wembley.

A topsy-turvy tie was sent to spot-kicks when Javier Hernandez scored in injury-time after extra-time, moments after Black Cats’ United old-boy Phil Bardsley thought he had won it for Gus Poyet’s men.

Only Darren Fletcher scored for United from the spot as Danny Welbeck, Adnan Januzaj, Phil Jones and finally Rafael all missed the target or saw their efforts saved in a dismal display of penalty-taking. Rafael’s miss sparked wild Sunderland celebrations.

Javier Hernandez found the net for United (Picture: Getty)

The visitors fared little better but Marcos Alonso and Ki Sung-Yeung kept their nerve to score past David De Gea – who saved from Steven Fletcher and Adam Johnson.

Moyes had been hoping for respite from what has been a terrible start to 2014, in which United have taken just three points from nine in the Premier League – a run which has wrecked any lingering hopes of defending their title – and crashed out of the FA Cup.

They started brightly enough and Jonny Evans gave them a lead before half-time, but they lacked the cutting edge which could have earned a crucial second goal in normal time.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Goalkeeper David De Gea of Manchester United reacts after being beaten by the shot from Phil Bardsley of Sunderland during the Capital One Cup semi final, second leg match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on January 22, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Ki Sung-Yueng and Marcos Alonso of Sunderland celebrate following their team's 2-1 victory in the penalty shootout during the Capital One Cup semi final, second leg match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on January 22, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Sir Alex Ferguson looks on from the stands during the Capital One Cup semi final, second leg match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on January 22, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Manchester United’s Mexican forward Javi

Manchester United's Mexican forward Javier Hernández reacts during the English League Cup semi final second leg football match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford in Manchester on January 22, 2014. Sunderland won 2-1 on penalties after extra time. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR LIVE SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS.PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Sunderland fans celebrate following their team's 2-1 victory following the penalty shootout during the Capital One Cup semi final, second leg match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on January 22, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez of Manchester United scores their first goal during the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg at Old Trafford on January 22, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)

Manchester United v Sunderland – Capital One Cup Semi Final Second Leg

Football - Manchester United v Sunderland - Capital One Cup Semi Final Second Leg - Old Trafford - 22/1/14
Manchester United players look dejected during the penalty shoot out
Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Lee Smith
Livepic
EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ìliveî services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Manchester United v Sunderland – Capital One Cup Semi Final Second Leg

Football - Manchester United v Sunderland - Capital One Cup Semi Final Second Leg - Old Trafford - 22/1/14
Manchester United's Phil Jones misses a penalty in the shootout
Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Lee Smith
Livepic
EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ìliveî services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Manchester United v Sunderland – Capital One Cup Semi Final Second Leg

Football - Manchester United v Sunderland - Capital One Cup Semi Final Second Leg - Old Trafford - 22/1/14
Sunderland players look dejected after Javier Hernandez (not pictured) scored the second goal for Manchester United
Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Lee Smith
Livepic
EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ìliveî services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Sunderland’s English defender Philip Bar

Sunderland's English defender Philip Bardsley (L) shoots to score a goal during the English League Cup semi final second leg football match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford in Manchester on January 22, 2014. Sunderland won 2-1 on penalties after extra time. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR LIVE SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS.PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images

Manchester United's Javier Hernandez celebrates after scoring his team's 2nd goal of the game

Manchester United’s De Gea reacts after conceding a goal to Sunderland’s Bardsley during their English League Cup semi-final second leg soccer match at Old Trafford

Manchester United's David De Gea reacts after conceding a goal to Sunderland's Phil Bardsley (unseen) during their English League Cup semi-final second leg soccer match at Old Trafford, northern England, January 22, 2014. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER)

Manchester United's Javier Hernandez scores to send the game and send it to penalties during the Capital One Cup, Semi Final, Second Leg at Old Trafford, Manchester. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday January 22, 2014. See PA story SOCCER Man Utd. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Maximum 45 images during a match. No video emulation or promotion as 'live'. No use in games, competitions, merchandise, betting or single club/player services. No use with unofficial audio, video, data, fixtures, or club/league logos.

Manchester United v Sunderland – Capital One Cup Semi Final Second Leg

Football - Manchester United v Sunderland - Capital One Cup Semi Final Second Leg - Old Trafford - 22/1/14
Manchester United manager David Moyes
Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Lee Smith
Livepic
EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ìliveî services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Phil Bardsley of Sunderland scores his team's goal during the Capital One Cup semi final, second leg match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on January 22, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Danny Welbeck of Manchester United misses with his penalty attempt during the Capital One Cup semi final, second leg match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on January 22, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Sunderland’s manager Gus Poyet celebrates after their penalty shootout win against Manchester United after their English League Cup semi-final second leg soccer match at Old Trafford

Sunderland's manager Gus Poyet celebrates after their penalty shootout win against Manchester United after their English League Cup semi-final second leg soccer match at Old Trafford, northern England, January 22, 2014. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER)

Manchester United’s De Gea reacts after conceding a goal to Sunderland’s Bardsley during their English League Cup semi-final second leg soccer match at Old Trafford

Manchester United's David De Gea reacts after conceding a goal to Sunderland's Phil Bardsley (unseen) during their English League Cup semi-final second leg soccer match at Old Trafford, northern England, January 22, 2014. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER)

Manchester United v Sunderland – Capital One Cup Semi Final Second Leg

Football - Manchester United v Sunderland - Capital One Cup Semi Final Second Leg - Old Trafford - 22/1/14
Phil Bardsley celebrates after scoring the first goal for Sunderland
Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Lee Smith
Livepic
EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ìliveî services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.